'You need not trouble yourself to do that,' said Mrs. Val. 'I shall see him myself before long.'
'It will be no trouble,' said Gertrude, very indignantly, for she was very angry, and had, as she thought, great cause for anger. 'I shall certainly think it my duty to do so after what has passed. Of course you will now take steps to relieve him as soon as possible.'
'You have taken me up a great deal too quick, my dear,' said Mrs. Val. 'I did not intend——'
'Oh—one can't be too quick on such a matter as this,' said Gertrude. 'When confidence is once lost between two persons it is better that the connexion which has grown out of confidence should be put an end to as soon as possible.'
'Lost confidence! I said nothing about lost confidence!'
'Alaric will so understand it, I am quite sure; at any rate I will tell him what you have said. Suspicion indeed! who has dared to suspect him of anything not honest or upright?'
Gertrude's eyes flashed with anger as she vindicated her absent lord. Mrs. Val had been speaking with bated breath, so that no one had heard her but she to whom she was speaking; but Gertrude had been unable so to confine her answers, and as she made her last reply Madame Jaquêtanàpe and the Misses Neverbend were all ears.
'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed Mrs. Val. 'Upon my word, my dear, it is amusing to hear you take it up. However, I assure you I meant nothing but what was kind and friendly. Come, Clementina, we have been sitting here a most unconscionable time. Will you allow me, my dear, to ring for my carriage?'
'Mamma,' said Clem, 'have you asked Mrs. Tudor to our little dance?'
'No, my dear; I have left that for you to do. It's your party, you know—but I sincerely hope Mrs. Tudor will come.'